This webpage contains information and documents related to the permitting of this project by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Every project before the Commission has an electronic docket (eDocket), a file folder for all of the project's documents.

Documents for this project are listed below in the File Register, most recent documents first. To view the eDockets record for this project, click on the eDockets link below, or click on the eDockets tab in the File Register. A subset of the record, including key documents with descriptions, is available by clicking on the Energy Facilities tab in the File Register.

For more information about participating in the permitting of this project, click on the How to Participate tab, or contact the environmental review manager or public advisor listed below.

Project Docket

Docket NoPPL-15-137

Project nameLine 3 Pipeline Replacement

ApplicantEnbridge, LLP

DescriptionEnbridge Energy proposes to replace 337 miles of the Line 3 Pipeline in Minnesota. Line 3 originates in Canada, continues through North Dakota, enters Minnesota in Kittson County, and terminates in Superior, Wiscsonsin.

Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership (Enbridge) is proposing the Line 3 Replacement project in order to address safety and integrity issues associated with the existing Line 3 pipeline. The pipeline replacement is proposed to follow existing Line 3 from the Minnesota-North Dakota border to Clearbrook and then follow the same route proposed for the Sandpiper pipeline from Clearbrook to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The Line 3 route is approximately 337 miles long in Minnesota. The project also includes upgrades to existing pump stations at Clearbrook, Donaldson, Plummer, and Viking, and construction of new pump stations at Backus, Cromwell, Palisade, and Two Inlets. The proposed project is located in Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Clearwater, Hubbard, Wadena, Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Carlton counties.

Enbridge's proposed project requires two approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) before it may be constructed - a certificate of need (CN) and a route permit. As part of the process, the Commission has asked the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Commerce), in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this project.

Additional information on the CN process can be found on the eDockets website: CN-14-916.

EERA has released the FSDD for the preparation of the Line 3 Replacement EIS. The EIS will describe the proposed Project and alternatives; it will describe the existing environment for the geographic areas and resources potentially affected by the Project; and it will assess potential impacts of the Project to each resource and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those impacts

The Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Line 3 Replacement Project describes the applicant’s proposed alternative in detail and summarizes significant environmental impacts of the proposed project. All projects requiring an EIS must have an EAW filed with the project’s responsible governmental unit (RGU)

The Department of Commerce has issued the Draft Scoping Decision Document (DSDD) for the Line 3 Replacement Project. The purpose of this document is to identify impacts of the proposed project, alternatives to the proposed project, and impacts of any alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. In addition to identifying impacts and alternatives, this document also provides a proposed outline for the EIS and a tentative schedule for the environmental review process. This DSDD is a companion document to the Scoping EAW

The EIS will describe the proposed Project and alternatives; it will describe the existing environment for the geographic areas and resources potentially affected by the Project; and it will assess potential impacts of the Project to each resource and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those impacts. A Final EIS is anticipated in July 2017

The EIS will describe the proposed Project and alternatives; it will describe the existing environment for the geographic areas and resources potentially affected by the Project; and it will assess potential impacts of the Project to each resource and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those impacts. A Final EIS is anticipated in July 2017

EERA has released the FSDD for the preparation of the Line 3 Replacement EIS. The EIS will describe the proposed Project and alternatives; it will describe the existing environment for the geographic areas and resources potentially affected by the Project; and it will assess potential impacts of the Project to each resource and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those impacts

The Department of Commerce has issued the Final Scoping Decision Document (FSDD) for the Line 3 Replacement Project. The purpose of this document is to identify impacts of the proposed project, alternatives to the proposed project, and impacts of any alternatives to be addressed in the EIS

The Department of Commerce has issued the scoping environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) and the draft scoping decision document for the Sandpiper Pipeline and Line 3 Replacement Projects. Public information and scoping meetings will be held April 25 through May 11, 2016, in multiple Minnesota communities. Comments on the scope of the environmental impact statements that will be prepared for the projects will be accepted through May 26, 2016

The Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Line 3 Replacement Project describes the applicant’s proposed alternative in detail and summarizes significant environmental impacts of the proposed project. All projects requiring an EIS must have an EAW filed with the project’s responsible governmental unit (RGU)

The Department of Commerce has issued the Draft Scoping Decision Document (DSDD) for the Line 3 Replacement Project. The purpose of this document is to identify impacts of the proposed project, alternatives to the proposed project, and impacts of any alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. In addition to identifying impacts and alternatives, this document also provides a proposed outline for the EIS and a tentative schedule for the environmental review process. This DSDD is a companion document to the Scoping EAW

Order from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission authorizing the Department of Commerce to prepare a combined environmental impact statement (EIS) for Enbridge's Line 3 certificate of need and route permit applications. The order authorizes the Department to administer the EIS process in consultation with the Commission’s Executive Secretary and requests that the Department submit to the Commission, for its approval, a proposed list of alternative routes or route segments to include in the EIS

The PUC and EERA will conduct a public information and environmental review scoping meeting at the East Lake Community Center south of McGregor, MN, on August 27. Comments will be accepted through September 30, 2015

An order from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision accepting the application of Enbridge for a pipeline routing permit as substantially complete and authorizing the Department of Commerce to prepare an analysis of alternative route proposals in accordance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7852

The PUC and EERA will conduct public information and environmental review scoping meetings across northern Minnesota on August 11-13 (Hallock, Newfolden, Thief River Falls, Plummer and Gully); August 17-19 (Clearbrook, Bagley and Park Rapids); and August 24-26 (Pine River, McGregor and Carlton). Comments will be accepted through September 30, 2015